Former 3M lawyer named EPA administrator

WASHINGTON — Robert Sussman, who was a lawyer for 3M for several years, was recently appointed to the senior policy council of Lisa Jackson, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to the Examiner.

Robert A. Bilott, an attorney who represents the states of West Virginia, New Jersey and Minnesota, all of which have polluted drinking water, has urged Jackson to ban Sussman from any involvement in these issues because Sussman was directly involved in representing the interests of perfluorochemical (PFCs) manufacturers in negotiations with the EPA while he was a partner in the law firm Latham & Watkins, the story stated.

The concern is that Sussman''s background calls into question whether his loyalty will be with his former clients or the American public, the story noted.

Sussman''s main job is to advise Jackson on energy and environmental issues across EPA''s broad regulatory authority, the story added.

According to the story, 3M is still facing a lawsuit from Minnesota residents who say their drinking water has been contaminated with PFCs from the company''s operations; Sussman was involved in justifying the private discussions 3M had with the EPA which were supposed to be conducted in public.